WORK will begin on a $1.22 million upgrade of the Farrer shopping centre in Canberra’s south.

Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury says the refurbishment will improve the centre’s amenity, safety and accessibility.

“The upgrade will include new paving, seating, bins, a drinking fountain and landscaping. It will also feature improved drainage and street lighting, widened footpaths and improved bus stop access. Speed cushions will also be installed to slow traffic through the car park,” he says.

“Temporary access arrangements for the car park and shopping centre will be in place throughout the works, and access to all the shops will be maintained. The project is expected to be complete by December 2013.”

Mr Rattenbury said extensive consultation with key stakeholders including the local community was undertaken as part of the forward design and detailed design stages of the project.

“We received valuable feedback from the local community and other stakeholders during the consultation process and as a result have introduced measures to improve the amenity, signage, lighting and safety of the shops,” he says.

Upgrade works are currently underway at the Waramanga shops and Red Hill shops. Forward design studies are being prepared for the upgrade of Chapman shops and small upgrade works at Banks, Charnwood, Cook, Griffith, Lyneham, Theodore and Torrens local shopping centres.